The RSPCA is appealing for information after the body of a dog with a weight attached to him was discovered in a canal in Wigan.

The Pomeranian-cross was found by a member of the public in the canal near Appley Bridge, close to The Baby Elephant restaurant, on Tuesday (7 June) evening.

Milo

He was wearing a blue harness, to which a 1.25kg exercise weight had been attached.

RSPCA inspector Johnny Brooks, who is investigating, said: “The dog was microchipped however the details on the chip were not up to date as the dog had been rehomed. The microchip told us that he was named Milo and was aged around five.

“We are very keen to find out who owned Milo after 29 April, so we can find out how he came to be in the canal. At the moment we have not been able to establish how he died, but we do believe he was in the canal for up to two weeks.

“I am urging anyone who has any information to contact us in complete confidence on 0300 123 8018, so we can look into this further.”

At the moment we have not been able to establish how he died, but we do believe he was in the canal for up to two weeks

Johnny Brooks - RSPCA

A terrier-type dog was found in similar circumstances in Bootle, Liverpool, last month, however the RSPCA do not believe that the two incidents are related.